No-can-no-cover feed control



July 24, 1956 L. F. GLOWEN ETAL 2,755,763

' NO-CAN-NO-COVER FEED CONTROL Filed June 29. 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORJ Ia wrezzce J'f''lowerv, gon ah J derzrzello.

4 Sheets-Sheet 2 med June 29', 1951 Z mwn m m ma; W5

a 4 i W5 mm y 1956 L. F. GLOWEN ETAL 2,755,763

NO-CAN-NO-COVER FEED CONTROL Filed June 29. 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 J fl J6 J5 J5 5 7 INVENTORS Jawrerzce I. G'lawerz,

BY Jam viz, J. dezzzzello.

nite Sta NO-CAN-WO-COVER FEED CONTRUL Application June 29, 1951, Serial No. 234,395

Claims. (Cl. 113l14) The invention relates generally to cover feeders effective to feed covers for individual assembly upon cans being fed along in processional order and in equidistantly spaced relation, and it primarily seeks to provide a novel no-can-no-cover feed control including control devices actuated responsive to movement of passing cans without objectionable pressure contact with the passing cans.

Cover feeds of the general character referred to are well known, and it is also quite common to provide no-can-no-cover feed control means for discontinuing the feeding of covers Whenever there is a break in continuity of the feeding of cans. Various forms of no-can-no-cover feed controls are known, but these controls have been mechanically actuated through devices including can engaged actuator arms which must be displaced and held displaced by the passing cans. It has been found that from twelve to twenty pounds pressure must be applied to such actuator arms to displace them and hold them in position for maintaining the normal cover feeding operation. It will be quite apparent that this necessity for applying such arm displacing and holding pressures by moving can engagement is quite objectionable and can result in damage to the delicate decorative coverings on the cans. It is a purpose of the present invention to provide a novel cover feed control of the character stated wherein all objectionable pressure actuation by can engagement is avoided.

While the improved control devices herein disclosed are adapted for more general use, they are particularly adapted for use in combination with cover feeding means such as are disclosed in the copending application for U. S. Letters Patent Serial Number 72,328, filed by Justin Simpson on January 24, 1949, now Patent No. 2,579,976 of December 25, 1951. In the disclosed cover feeding means there are included members normally operable to support a stack of covers and for feeding them one by one off the bottom of the stack, and supplementary supporting devices movable into and out of position for taking over the support of the stack and silencing the feeding of covers, and the present invention resides in combining with such means, electrically controlled, fluid pressure actuated means for shifting the supplementary supporting devices into their stack supporting position each time there is a break in the feeding of cans, and for again moving said devices away from said stack supporting position as proper feeding of cans is resumed so as to permit the cover supporting and feeding members to resume their normal cover supporting and feeding function.

An object of the invention is to provide control means of the character stated including an electrical control switch means which is actuated by movement of cans therepast.

Another object of the invention is to provide control means of the character stated including an electrical control switch actuated by a member displaced by engage atent ice meat of passing cans and through substantially negligible pressure application by said cans.

Another object of the invention is to provide control means of the character stated in which there are provided actuator means for shifting the supplementary stack supporting devices and including a fluid pressure operated actuator piston, valve means for directing fluid pressure to and from the respective ends of the piston, and electrically controlled valve positioning means including a switch means actuated by movement of cans therepast.

With the above and other objects in view that will hereinafter appear, the nature of the invention will be more clearly understood by reference to the following detailed description, the appended claims and the several views illustrated in the accompanying drawing.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a perspective view illustrating the invention.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary plan view and part horizontal section illustrating the oscillatable lug projecting and retracting ring and its connection with the control devices, one of the stack supporting lugs being shown in its partially projected position.

Figure 3 is a vertical cross section taken on the line 33 on Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary plan view illustrating one of the stack supporting lugs in its fully retracted position.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating the adjustable mounting at the lower end of the switch and cylinder supporting plate.

Figure 6 is a horizontal longitudinal section taken through the switch actuator cylinder and the control devices therefor.

Figure 7 is a plan view illustrating the travelling can displaced member and the supporting means.

Figure 8 is an end elevation of the parts shown in Figure 7.

Figure 9 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the electrical controls through which the shifting of the lug projecting and retracting ring is effected.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention herein disclosed, the cans C are shown as being fed in processional order toward a closing machine generally desig nated D by feeding means 5 under control of the usual timing screw 6. Covers for assembly on the cans are to be fed one-by-one from the bottom of the stack by the cover feed means generally designated E in Figure 1. While this cover feeding means may take various forms, it is preferred that the herein disclosed invention be applied to cover feed means such as is disclosed in the Justin Simpson Patent Number 2,579,976 hereinbefore referred to.

Fragments of a cover feeding means of the type referred to are best shown in Figures 2 and 3 of the drawings from which it will be apparent that the feeding means includes a body 7 and a base portion 8 wherein is provided an annular seat 9. Within the seat 9 a lug positioning ring 10 is oscillatably mounted. The ring 10 is fork and pivot block connected as at 11 to the stack supporting lugs 12 which are pivotally mounted at 13 on the base 8. Each lug has a cover stack supporting inner end extremity 14 which is projected into and retracted from the center opening 15 through which the covers fall from the upstanding guides 16. The projectable and retractable lugs cooperate with the continuously rotated screws 17 in controlling the feeding of covers from the bottom of the stack for assembly on the cans. During normal feeding of the covers the stack rests upon upper surface portions of the screws, and the screws serve to remove the covers one at a time from the bottom of the stack and drop them into position for being transferred for assembly onto the cans. During normal operation of the cover feeding means, the lugs 14 are retracted in the 3 manner illustrated in Figure 4 so that they will not interfere with the feeding of the covers. However, whenever a break in the continuous feeding of cans occurs, the lugs 14 are projected into the opening 15 so as to take over the support of the stack and prevent feeding of the covers by the continuously rotating screws. It is to be understood that the top or cover supporting surfaces of the lugs 14 are at the same level as the cover stack supporting surfaces of the screws so that when the lugs are projected in the manner illustrated in Figures 2 and 3 they can take over the supporting of the cover stack while permitting continued, ineffectual rotation of the screws 17.

The oscillatable ring 10 is provided with a radial arm projection 18 which is longitudinally slotted as at 19 to receive an actuator roller 20 in the manner clearly illustrated in Figures 2 and 3. The roller 20 is carried at the end of a reciprocable piston rod 21 which is equipped with a piston 22 operable within the cylinder '23 which is supported on the mounting plate 24. The plate 24, best shown in Figures 1 to 3 and 5 of the drawings is verticallyadjustably mounted as at 25 on a bracket 26 which is in turn mounted at 27 on the machine frame.

It will be apparent by reference to Figure 6 of the drawlogs that the cylinder 23 is equipped with an air duct 28 opening into one end thereof, and an air duct 29 opening into the other end thereof so that said ducts can operate alternately to admit air into and exhaust air from the cylinder 23 so as to bring about reciprocation of the piston 22 in the cylinder. The cylinder ducts 28 and 29 communicate with duct extensions 30 and 31 respectively formed in a valve block 32, and said block also is equipped with exhaust ports 33 and 34, one thereof being associated with each of the duct sets 28, 30 and 29, 31. The control unit shown in part in Figures 1, 2 and 3, and in detail in Figure 6, also includes a control cylinder 35, and this cylinder, the block 32 and the cylinder 23 are held in assembly as shown in Figure 6 by bolts 36.

The cylinder 35 is closed at its ends by removable caps 37 each having a central bleed port 33 therein, the purpose of which will become apparent as this description progresses. The cylinder 35 also has a centrally disposed air inlet port 39 which communicates through an annular chamber enlargement 40 with a valve chamber 41 extending along the face of the cylinder opposite the block 32. Equidistantly spaced ports 42, 43., 44 and open through the face of the block 32 which opposes the valve chamber 41, the ports 42 and 43 communicating with the ducts 30 and 33 respectively, and the ports 44 and 45 communicating with the ducts .34 and 31 respectively in the manner clearly illustrated in Figure 6. An E-valve 46 is slidably mounted in the valve chamber 41 and is connected as at 47 to move with the free piston 48 reciprocable in the cylinder 35 for properly controlling the ports. In the position of the valve illustrated in Figure 6, the ports 42 and 43 are connected to allow air to exhaust from the ducts 28, 30 into the exhaust duct 33, and pressure fluid is directed through the port 45 and duct 31, 29 for driving the piston 22 upwardly as viewed in Figure 6. It will be apparent that when the valve 46 is shifted to the right the direction of flow of pressure and exhaust fluid will be reversed so as to drive the piston 22 downwardly.

The free piston 48 reciprocable in the cylinder 35 is cup-shaped at its opposite ends, and its central wall has an annular air groove 49 therein which forms a part of the connection 4-7 between the piston and the reciprocable valve 46. The central wall of the free piston also is equipped with radial ports 50 communicating between the groove 49 and a central chamber 51 in which a free ball valve 52 is mounted for alternateseating engagement with end seats 53 opening into the end cups of the piston in the manner clearly illustrated-in Figure 6.

Each cylinder cap 37 carries a cup-like shell 54 receivable in spaced relation in the respective cupped piston end, and each shell is equipped with an electromagnet 55 and a wall opening 56 permitting ingress of air into the interior of the shell. It will be noted that a reed valve 57 cooperates with each of the bleed ports 38 provided in the caps 37, and it is to be understood that when the coil of one of the magnets 55 is energized the effect will be to retract the respective reed 57 from its position in closing relation over the respective port 33 in the manner illustrated at the left in Figure 6.

With the parts in the position illustrated in Figure 6, it is to be understood that the piston 22 is about to complete its movement of retraction and that immediately upon completion of this retraction the electromagnet at the left will be de-energized to permit the reed shown in the attracted, open position at the left of the figure to seat and close the port 33. It is to be noted that at each travel limit of the piston 48 the respective central shell projection 58 will engage with and unseat the valve ball 52 in the manner illustrated at the left in Figure 6. This will permit an equalization of pressure at opposite ends of the piston 43. Assuming the piston 48 to be at rest at either of its travel limits, pressure at opposite ends thereof will be equalized, and an energizing of the magnet 55 at the end from which the last movement occurred will result in a displacement of the respective reed 57 and an escapement of air through the port 38. This reduction of pressure at the respective end of the piston 48 will cause the pressure at the opposite end of the piston to be dominant and bring about a shifting of the piston 48 toward the end cap 37 through which the exhausting of air occurred. In the particular arrangement disclosed herein, and the detailed arrangement in Figure 6 it is to be understood that the energizing .of the magnet .55 at the left will bring about a retraction of the piston 22 whereas an energizing of the magnet 55 at the right will bring about aprojection of said piston.

A horizontal support bracket 59 is secured at 66 t0 the machine frame along the .can feedway and the can guide 61 thereof in the manner clearly illustrated in Figure l. A support plate 62 is laterally-adjustably secured at 63 upon the bracket 59,, and a support bracket 64 is longitudinally adjustably supported as at .65 on said plate. The bracket 64 has a plate 66 secured thereon which serves as .a support for a double throw micro-switch 67. it will also be apparent by reference to Figures 7 and 8 that the bracket 64 is equipped with trunnion bearings 68 wherein arock shaft 69 is mounted. Hubs 78 secured on the rock shaft are equipped with arms 71 which extend laterally and carry an actuator rod 72 paralleling the line of travel of the cans C beneath the guide 61 in the manner clearly illustrated in Figures 1, 7 and 8. The rod has an angle bent receiving end v73 to facilitate engagement of the cans with the rod and deflection of the rod thereby. The actuator plunger 74 of the switch '67 projects into position for being engaged by an actuator arm 75 carried by one of :the hubs 70. A light compression spring 76 constantly tends to force the rod 72, 73 laterally into the path of the travelling cans C, and stop members 77 and 78 formed respectively on the bracket 64 and one of the hubs 7:0 serve to limit the movement of the rod 72, '73 laterally into the path of travel of the cans.

An opening 79 is provided through the plate 24, and at each side thereof is mounted a single throw, normally closed micro-switch, one said switch being designated 80 and the other 81 as will be apparent by reference to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings. The piston plunger 21 has a switch actuator 82 secured thereon as at 83, and the actuator carries an adjustable actuator plunger 84 projecting toward the switch -80 for actuating the plunger thereof, and an adjustable actuator plunger 85 projecting toward the other switch 81 for actuating the plunger of the same. The control connections are such that whenever the piston plunger 21 is projected, the cover feeding means will be in its normal, cover feeding condition with the stack supporting lugs 14 retracted in the manner illustrated in Figure 4, the switch 80 will be open and the switch 81 will be closed. Whenever the plunger 21 is in its rctracted position, the stack supporting lugs 14 will be projected and the cover feeding means will be in the upfeeding condition, the switch 81 will be Open and the switch 80 will be closed.

In Figure 9, one manner of electrically connecting the control devices is diagrammatically illustrated. In this illustration, the coil within the magnet 55 at the left as viewed in Figure 6 is indicated at 86, and the coil of the magnet 55 at the right in said Figure 6 is indicated at 87. The coils are connected at their proximate ends at 88, and said connection 88 is connected by a conductor 89 with the step-down transformer generally designated 90 and which is connected with the power in-put lines 91 and 92 in the manner indicated. It is preferred that the step-down transformer shall function to reduce the service current to eight volts in the control system now being described.

At its remote end the left coil 86 is connected by a conductor 93 with one contact of the switch 81, and at its remote end the right coil is connected by a conductor 94 with one contact of the switch '80. The power in-put contact 95 of the double throw micro-switch 67 is connected by a conductor 96 with the transformer 90, one contact 97 of the other two selective contacts of said switch 67 is connected by the conductor 98 with the switch 81 and the other contact 99 of said switch 67 is connected by the conductor 180 with the other switch 80.

The diagram in Figure 9 illustrates the condition of the control circuits during the normal operation of the cover feeding means. In this condition the piston and rod 22, 21 are projected, and both magnet coils 86, 87 are deenergized because of the open condition of the switch 67 with respect to the contact 97, and the open condition of the switch 80. This was brought about by a momentary energizing of the coil 87 at the right of Figure 6 which elfected a shifting of the valve 46 to the position opposite that shown in Figure 6 and which would be effective to bring about a projection of the piston, which piston projection has brought about an opening of the switch 80 in the manner indicated in the diagrammatic Figure 9. The movement of the piston 22 also permitted the switch 81 to move to the closed position to condition the control circuit through 98, 93, 86, 89 for energizing the coil 86 on the next shift of the main control switch 67 resulting from a break in continuity of the feeding of cans C. It is to be undersood that the switch actuator rod 72 is of such length that it will span the spacing between the two can centers, and therefore one can will have moved into engagement with the advance end of the rod before the preceding can end will have moved out of contact with the other end of said rod. So long as this normal procession of cans continues, the rod will be held deflected in the manner illustrated in Figures 7 and 8, and this will result in a conditioning of the main switch 67 in the manner illustrated in the diagrammatic Figure 9. Whenever there is a break in the procession of cans, however, the rod 72 will be moved to the left and will actuate the switch 67 to engage the contact 97 and bring about an energizing of the coil 86. This will result in an attraction of the reed 57 as shown in Figure 6, and the bleeding of air through the port 38 as indicated by the arrow will reduce pressure in the cylinder 35 at the left hand end of the free piston 48 and cause the now dominant pressure at the right hand end of the free piston to shift the same toward the left as illustrated in Figure 6. Placement of the valve 46 in the position illustrated in Figure 6 will direct the pressure fluid and exhaust in the manner previously described for bringing about a retraction of the piston 22. The retraction of the piston will cause the tappet 85 to open the switch 81 and de-energize the coil 86. The retraction of the plunger 21 will also project the lugs 14 and stop the feeding of covers until the normal continuous feeding of cans is resumed.

Resumption of the normal feeding of cans will result in a displacement of the rod 72 to the right and a shifting of the switch 67 into engagement with the contact 6 99, and since the switch will now be closed, the coil 87 will be energized and projection of the plunger 21 and immediate resumption of cover feeding will follow.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that the force necessary for proper shifting of the cover stack supporting lug positioning ring is not directly applied through the can displaced rod 72. This force is applied pneumatically under electrical control and the only force necessary to be applied through the can displacement of the rod 72 is that necessary to overcome the light spring 76 and actuate the micro-switch plunger 74. This pressure application is substantially negligible and no damage to can coating or decoration can result.

While one form of the invention has been shown for purposes of illustration, it is to be clearly understood that various changes in the details of construction and arrangement of parts may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

We claim:

1. In apparatus of the character described, in combination, means for feeding cans in processional order and in equidistantly spaced relation, electric circuit controlling means responsive to a gap in the order of cans and comprising a travelling can engaged switch means, said switch means including a base, a switch rigidly supported on the base and having a depressi-ble contact making and breaking member, and a crank arm pivotal'ly supported on the base and including an extension movable into and out of contact with said member, an actuater rod carried by the crank arm and extending along the path of travel of the cans and of a length for spanning the distance between the centers of two consecutive travelling normally spaced cans, and light spring means constantly tending to move the crank arm to displace the extension thereof from contact with the contact making and breaking member and to project the rod into the path of travel of the cans to be displaced thereby and held in circuit closing presentation of the crank arm extension with the contact making and breaking member with a minimum expenditure of can pressure, cover feed means and fluid pressure actuated control devices therefor operable under electric circuit control through said depressi ble contact making and breaking member to bring about feeding of covers so long as the normal processional order feeding of the cans continues and to discontinue the cover feed ing each time there is a gap in the procession of cans.

2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein there are included means for adjusting the base along the path of travel of the cans, and means for adjusting the base transversely with relation to said path of travel of the cans.

3. In apparatus of the character described, in combination, means for feeding cans in processional order and in equidistant'ly spaced relation, electric circuit controlling means responsive to a gap in the order of cans and comprising a travelling can engaged switch means, said switch means including a rigidly supported circuit making and breaking switch including an actuator button, and a shiftable button actuator carrying an actuator rod extending along the path of travel of the cans and of a length for extending at least thedistance between the centers of two consecutive travelling normally spaced cans, and a very light spring means constantly tending to project the rod into the path of travel of the cans to be displaced thereby and held in circuit closing presentation of the button actuator against the actuator button with a minimum expenditure of can pressure, and part shifting means controlled by said switch and including a fluid pressure operated actuator piston, cover feeding means including devices shiftable by movement of the a'otuater piston in one direction to bring about a cover feeding operation and shiftable by movement of the actuater piston in another direction to discontinue the cover feeding operation, valve means for directing fluid pressure to and from opposite ends of the piston, valve shifting means including a floating piston connected with the valve, means for directing fluid pressure against said floating piston, and electrically operated means operable under control or" said switch for bringing about an unbalanced pressure condition at the opposite ends of the floating piston alternately to cause it to move first one way and then the other.

4. In apparatus of the character described, in combination, means for feeding cans in processional order and in equidis'tantly spaced relation, electric circuit controlling means responsive to a gap in the order of cans and comprising a travelling can engaged switch means, said switch means including a rigidly supported circuit making and breaking switch including an actuator button, and a shiftable button actuator carrying an actuator rod extending along the path of travel of the cans and of a length for extending at least the distance between the centers of two consecutive travelling normally spaced cans, and a very light spring means constantly tending to project the rod into the path of travel of the cans to be displaced thereby and held in circuit closing presentation of the button actuator against the actuator button with a minimum expenditure of can pressure, and part shifting means controlled by said switch and including a fluid pressure operated actuator piston, cover feeding means including devices shiftable by movement of the actuater piston in one direction to bring about a cover feeding operation and shiftable by movement of the actuater piston in another direction to discontinue the cover feeding operation, valve means for directing fluid pressure to and from opposite ends of the piston, valve shifting means including a floating piston connected with the valve, means for directing fluid pressure against said floating piston, and electrically operated means operable under control of said switch for bringing about an unbalanced pressure condition at the opposite ends of the floating piston alternately to cause it to move first one way and then the other, and a control circuit and switch means connected therein including a switch actuated by movement of the actuator piston at the end of the stroke thereof in one direction, and a switch actuated by movement of the actuator piston at the end of the stroke thereof in the other direction.

5. In apparatus of the character described, in combination, means for feeding cans in processional order and in equidistantly spaced relation, electric circuit controlling means responsive to a gap in the order of cans and comprising a travelling can engaged switch means, said switch means including a rigidly supported circuit making and breaking .switch including an actuator button, and .a shiftable button actuator carrying an actuator rod extending along the path of travel of the cans and of a length for extending at least the distance between the centers of two consecutive travelling normally spaced cans, and a very light spring means constantly tending to project the rod into the path of travel of the cans to be displaced thereby and held in circuit closing presentation of the button actuator against the actuator button with a minimum expenditure of can pressure, and part shifting means controlled by said switch and including a fluid pressure operated actuator piston, valve means for directing fluid pressure to and from opposite ends of the piston, valve shifting means including a floating piston connected with the valve means for directing fluid pressure against said floating piston, and electrically operated means operable under control of said switch for bringing about an unbalanced pressure condition at the opposite ends of the floating piston alternately to cause it to move first one way and then the other, cover feed means including a plurality of rotary members normally operable to support a stack of covers and feed them one by one off the bottom of the stack, means for continuously rotating said rotary members, supplementary cover stack support ing' devices movable-into and out of position for taking over support of the stack and arresting the feeding of covers, and means operatively connecting said devices with the actuator piston so that they will be moved into stack supporting position when the piston is moved in one direction and out of stack supporting position when the piston is moved in the other direction.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,799,106 Laxo Mar. 3], 1931 2,061,589 Philp Nov. 24, 1936 2,127,964 Ryan Aug. 23, 1938 2,269,473 Nordquist Jan. 13, 1942 2,579,976 Simpson Dec. 25, 1951 

